114: ransacking

After understanding the general dangers and the distribution of powerhouses in the surrounding area, Gao De's mind became active.

Since he planned to continue exploring this region, a stable temporary base and mastery over the surrounding resources were particularly important.

Gao De looked at the Two Demons standing respectfully by and asked, "You two have been entrenched here for hundreds of years; where are your nests? Are there any ancient spiritual trees or high-quality herbs produced nearby?"

Seeing their lord ask about this, Green Edge and Iron Pincer immediately perked up; this was their specialty.

Green Edge was the first to hiss, "Replying to Lord, this iron lump's nest and mine are not far from here. They are near a group of underwater grottoes about thirty li west of Ghost Cry Gorge. The waterways there are complex, easy to defend and hard to attack, and a branch of a small water Spiritual Vein flows through it, making it quite suitable for cultivation."

Iron Pincer added, "As for spiritual items... Lord, the Spiritual Qi in this outer region isn't the best. Most true Heaven And Earth Treasures grow in those dangerous lands or deep within the territories of Demon Kings. However, near our nests, there are indeed a few decent things."

It waved a giant pincer toward a certain direction. "In an underwater deep valley east of our nests, there grows a small patch of 'sunken yin ironwood'. The wood is harder than fine iron and is a good Material for refining water-attribute Magical Artifacts. The oldest few trees are likely two or three thousand years old.

However, the water pressure there is immense, and a group of troublesome 'Bone-Eroding Leeches' is entrenched there. We have no use for those logs, so we usually don't care to provoke them lightly."

Green Edge also remembered something and hurriedly said, "And! To the north of our nests, near the edge of the 'Red Water' Luoyu territory, there is a hidden underwater cave. Inside grows a 'Purple-Veined Dragon Scale Fruit Tree'!

This tree flowers once every thirty years and fruits once every thirty years. The 'Dragon Scale Fruits' it produces have miraculous effects on strengthening the physique, especially scale defense.

It's just that... every time the fruit is about to ripen, it attracts some troublesome fellows to compete for it. Last time it fruited, we fought several Luoyu that slipped over from the Red Water side and barely managed to keep most of them."

It paused and said with some regret, "Unfortunately, we have to wait over a decade for the next fruiting. However, the fruit tree itself is considered a decent Spiritual Plant."

Gao De nodded slightly as he listened to the Two Demons' narration.

sunken yin ironwood was a good Artifact Refining material, and that Purple-Veined Dragon Scale Fruit Tree was an unexpected pleasant surprise. Although he had to wait for the fruit, its inherent value was already significant. Especially for him, who possessed the Dragon Clan Bloodline and a powerful physique, the effect of the Dragon Scale Fruit might be even better.

"Besides these, is there anything else? For example, some hidden, undiscovered treasures?" Gao De pressed further. He believed that these two local snakes, with hundreds of years of operation, would definitely have more than just this in their foundation.

Green Edge's snake pupils swiveled as it lowered its voice and said, "Lord is wise. There is indeed one more place... beneath an undercurrent vortex southwest of my nest, there are a few stalks of 'Water Mist Spiritual Tea' hidden.

This tea is not from a tea tree but is a special underwater Spiritual Plant. A small amount of young leaves can be harvested every year. Drinking it can calm the mind and help dissolve irritability during cultivation. It also has some effect in resisting the mist and miasma of Yunmeng Marsh.

This item grows extremely slowly and its location is hidden. I discovered it alone; even this iron lump doesn't know about it." As it spoke, it glanced at Iron Pincer with a hint of pride.

Iron Pincer snorted but didn't refute, clearly having been unaware.

Gao De was quite satisfied.

These two generals truly didn't disappoint him. Not only did they provide a temporary base, but they also contributed several good resource points.

sunken yin ironwood, Dragon Scale Fruit Tree, and Water Mist Spiritual Tea—while none were top-tier treasures of heaven and earth, they had the advantage of being sustainable. They would be of great benefit to the current development of his forces and his own cultivation.

"Very well. Let's go to your nests first to see and mark these resource points clearly one by one," Gao De ordered.

He intended to take control of these existing resources first and use them as a foundation for subsequent exploration.

"Yes! Lord, please follow us!" The Two Demons immediately led the way, taking Gao De toward the old nests they had operated for hundreds of years.

Coming to Yunmeng Marsh was indeed not easy. Gao De made up his mind that within the limits of his strength, he would first grab all the benefits he could get his hands on.

On the way to Green Edge and Iron Pincer's nests, he did not lower his guard. Even though his powerful Divine Thought was suppressed, it still meticulously scanned the waters and mountain forests they passed through.

From time to time, he pointed out certain locations emitting faint spiritual light and ordered the Two Demons to investigate.

Green Edge nimbly dove into the underwater silt and brought back several pieces of Ore containing fine gold; Iron Pincer waved its giant pincers to pry several decent water-attribute Spiritual Plants from the crevices of cliff walls.

They also drove away several low-level Yao Beasts entrenched on small Spiritual Vein nodes, and Gao De personally extracted the condensed spiritual liquid.

Although these gains were not particularly precious, they added up to a considerable amount, and Gao De collected them all one by one.

"Our cave is just ahead," Green Edge said, pointing to a rugged area deep in the water. "Some of our kin also live nearby, but their strength is low, mostly hovering at the first or second rank. They usually rely on our protection and help patrol the territory and handle chores."

Hearing this, Gao De's heart stirred, and he asked, "Besides your kin, are there any other special Yao Beast tribes nearby?"

He knew well that the world of Yao Beasts was one where the strong preyed on the weak and minds were simple. High-level Yao Beasts only cared about improving their Bloodlines and strength, often ignoring low-level beings. However, certain special tribes might possess unique skills or resources.

He tried to prompt them: "For example... monkey groups that are good at brewing spiritual wine?"

As expected, both Green Edge and Iron Pincer showed bewildered expressions, looked at each other, and finally shook their heads.

Green Edge said sheepishly, "Lord, this... who would bother to pay attention to what those ant-like fellows are doing every day... I've seen a few groups of monkeys; they're all jumping around in the trees picking wild fruit and making a lot of noise. I haven't seen them brewing wine."

Iron Pincer also waved its pincer. "They taste average and their fur is stiff. Better to eat fish."

Seeing this, Gao De was not surprised.

The thinking pattern of Yao Beasts was like this; one could not measure them by the values of the Human Race.

He stopped asking and simply kept the matter in mind, intending to look into it personally later.

The group bypassed a swamp that was constantly emitting dark green toxic gas, the air filled with the pungent smell of sulfur.

After passing through this dangerous area, the view suddenly opened up to a vast, misty lake with clear water and lush water plants.

The group entered the great lake and first arrived at Green Edge's nest to the west.

It was an underwater karst cave hidden behind dense water grass and reefs. The entrance was narrow, but the interior was winding and deep, filled with small caves, indeed very suitable for a snake to lie in wait.

Some low-level green snakes gathered in the cave. Sensing the Aura of Gao De and Green Edge, they all moved out of the way.

After a brief inspection and collecting several treasures contributed by Green Edge, Gao De had Green Edge lead the way toward Iron Pincer's nest to the east.

Iron Pincer's nest had a completely different style. It was located in a relatively open underwater area, composed of countless huge, hole-filled dark brown rock reefs stacked together, like an underwater fortress.

At the entrance, several giant crabs the size of millstones were patrolling with their pincers waving, appearing quite imposing.

The space inside the cave was tall and appeared much more rugged.

In both nests, Gao De conducted a careful search. With his powerful Divine Thought and keen perception, he indeed found some valuable clues among the "clutter" piled up by the Two Demons.

In a corner of Green Edge's grotto, he found several special, dried leaves with fine patterns, emitting a faint wine fragrance similar to the fruit husks from before.

And in Iron Pincer's reef nest, he even found a small piece of discarded honeycomb stained with a bit of honey and fruit residue. The lingering Spiritual Qi on it indicated it was no ordinary item.

"It seems there might not only be wine-brewing monkeys nearby, but also traces of some kind of spiritual bee activity..." Gao De thought to himself; the clues were becoming clearer.

He summoned the Two Demons before him and ordered, "Green Edge, Iron Pincer, listen up.

Since you have submitted to this King, the resources around these nests must be managed uniformly. Green Edge, you are meticulous; you will be responsible for secretly searching for and monitoring those potential monkey and bee groups. Find their tracks and the location of their nests, but remember not to alert them."

"This subordinate understands!" A light of confidence flashed in Green Edge's eyes; this was exactly what it excelled at.

"Iron Pincer, you have strong defense and great strength. You will lead your kin and begin a planned extraction of that 'sunken yin ironwood', clearing out those Bone-Eroding Leeches. If there are difficulties, report to me."

"Lord, rest assured, leave it to me!" Iron Pincer patted its carapace in guarantee.

"As for that 'Purple-Veined Dragon Scale Fruit Tree' and 'Water Mist Spiritual Tea', keep them as they are for now and guard them strictly. When they ripen or accumulate to a certain extent, I will decide how to handle them," Gao De made the arrangements.

"Yes!" The Two Demons responded in unison.

Gao De looked at them and added, "Although you each have your own nests, since you both serve this King, you must work together. Daily patrols and resource extraction must be coordinated. If an external enemy attacks, you must present a united front. Do you understand?"

"Understood! We obey Lord's command!" Green Edge and Iron Pincer hurriedly expressed their stance. They knew they were now grasshoppers on the same string. Only by uniting closely under their Lord's command could they survive better in this Yunmeng Marsh and even obtain benefits they hadn't dared to imagine before.

Having initially integrated the forces and resources of the Two Demons, Gao De felt slightly more at ease.

He decided to stay temporarily at Iron Pincer's relatively open reef nest. Using this as a base, he would digest the gains from this trip on one hand, and on the other, command the two generals to gradually excavate the potential value of this water region.

At the same time, those mysterious monkeys and spiritual bees also became his key targets for the next stage.